Ivory by F.M. Sherrill

As a child in the desert kingdom of Gryth, Ivory witnessed the brutal murder of her parents at the hands of a sinister race known as the Lecs.

Now Queen of her people, a vengeance-fueled Ivory launches a final battle to annihilate the enemy once and for all. But on the eve of war, betrayed by her own kind and left in the hands of the Lecs, she's forced to learn the shocking truth about their two peoples, and the diabolical curse that's plagued them for centuries.

Armed with newfound knowledge and unexpected allies, Ivory must face the real enemy that's haunted her all her life, and make a choice that will mean the difference between a new beginning and the end of the world.

Ivory is an exercise in duality made reality; an exploration of darkness and light, male and female, sun and moon… seen through the eyes of two cultures ripped apart by an ancient evil whose pain resonates through the ages like the beating of a drum.

My Review:

The almost poetic writing of this story contrasts with and complements the storyline of this captivating tale. It is intense and fast paced while remaining intriguing and thought provoking. Sherrill's brilliant, albeit dark, descriptions bring this story forward. These dark overtones carry the mood of the story forward in a very intriguing manner. She walks a fine line between hopelessness and salvation, creating a story that's difficult to put down. Sherrill also develops some quite intriguing curses and beings around which this storyline is developed. They add a very unique and captivating element to the story.

Throughout this story you not only get to know the main character as she is, but also as she gets to know herself and who she will become. The main character's flashbacks not only let the readers know where she came from and what she's fought through, they also fill in the history of the story and the land itself without breaking the fast forward pace of the story.

The supporting cast is well developed to suit their roles within the story without ever overshadowing or eclipsing the main character. Many of the plot twists in this story come from the supporting cast themselves. They are quite surprising at the time, yet in retrospect make perfect sense.

Murder, intrigue, and acceptance all make their way into this story, leading to plot twists and turns that keep you on your toes. This was a unique tale that I hope continues on into a sequel. I'm dying to know what happens next.

Aren't author's bios boring? I always wanted to read one that went something like this:

F.M. Sherrill: recent citizen of earth. Plans on ruling the planet once she gets over the common cold. Or, F.M. Sherrill: time traveler. Decided to alter the space-time continuum by writing a novel, thus changing history slightly, which will eventually lead to the rise of a new human species.

But here it is. F.M. Sherrill is a novelist, A.K.A. an avid bullshitter; that's why she lives in L.A.. She's been writing for as long as her ancient mind can remember, devouring tales like an anemic vampire roaming the streets in hot pink heels, always thirsty for more. When she's not writing, she's making steampunk weapons, sewing giant plant-eater Mario plushes, making costumes for some film bloke or cosplayer, and sculpting/casting movie prop replicas while gardening in her urban apartment. Her favorite tools? A soldering iron, a blowtorch, a band saw, a sonic screwdriver, a replicator and an active imagination.